Drum sink separators



Aug. 20, 1963 F. BRINKMANN DRUM sINK sEPARAToRs 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 28. 1959 INV ENTOR FRANZ BRINKMANN 75W) Eid/(Mw MHS Aug. 20, 1963 F. BRINKMANN DRUM SINK sEPARAToRs .'5 Sheets-Shea?I 2 Filed April 28. 1959 INV ENTOR FRA/VZ BR/NKMANN Aug- 20, 1963 1 F. BR1NKMANN 3,101,312

DRUM SINK SEPARATORS .Filed April 28, 1959 l 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INV ENTOR FRANZ BR/N/(MANN United States Patent O 3,101,312 DRUM SINK SEPARA'EORS Franz Brinkmann, Dortmund, Germany, assigner to SKB Schnechterrnann d: Kremer-Baum Aktiengesellschaft tuer Autbereitung, a corporation of Germany Filed Apr. 23, i959, Ser. No. $09,520 Claims priority, application Germany Nov. 23, 1957 v 1t) Claims. (Cl. 209-472) This invention relates` to improvements in fthe working up of ores, minerals, coal, and the like.

It more particularly relates to an apparatus for working up ores, minerals, coal, and the like, for example minerals and coal in granular form, in accordance with the float and sink method in a heavy liquid.

This Iapplication is a continuationinapart application of co-pending U.S. application Serial No. 775,67 8, tiled November 20, 1958, now abandoned.

rDhe separation of ores, minerals and coal with heavy liquids is well known. German Patent 968,121 describes a drum sink separator useful for such working up of minerals and coal in a heavy liquid. Specifically, the sink separator according to the present invention com,- prses a separating trough apparatus, a portion of which simultaneously defines a rotating drum. The rotating drum portion of the trough is provided with scoop blades for the removal of the sediments, and the stationary portion is provided with weirs, arranged on the Ifront and rear ends `of the trough, which act as the overow weir and charging Weir, respectively. These weirs are adjacent yet dammed off from the rotating drinn front and rear walls.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simplified construction of such drum sink separators, particularly in the case where large coarse grained material is to be treated. Another object of this invention is to :make possible the reduction of the portion of the masses being rotated without decreasing the dimensions of the trough wherein separation occurs. Another object of the invention is to provide several sink separators arranged in series so that minerals and coal of diiTerent particle sizes can be advantageously worked up in one over-all operation. n

These and still further objects will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is an end view of a separator drum apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; FG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FlG. 1 as seen lfrom the overflow side; FG. 3 is a side view of a drum similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. l, partially in section; and FIG. 4 is a view showing two drums of the type shown i-n FIG. 1 arranged in series.

In accordance with Vfthe present invention, a rotatable drum is provided hav-ing a plurality of spaced scoop re-v ceptacles :disposed on the inside circular wall thereof capable of scooping material to be treated during each cycle of the drum. A rim flange extends along the peripheral portion of the circumferences at each side of the drum, the radially inward portion of each said side being open. Adjacent the radial opening at the input side of the drum, a stationary changing Weir ispro-vided which preferably defines a side extension of the trough zone continuously formed by the lower portion ofthe rotating drum. Adjacent the radial opening rat the other side of the drum, a stationary overflow weir is positioned which also preferably idenes a similar side extension of said'continuously formed trough zone. At least one of said side extensions is advantageously extended substantially axially outwardly with respect to the rotating drurn to increase the volurne of the trough zone without correspondingly increasing the size of the drum itself. Means are provided advantageously for continuous removal of floating mate- ICC rial from said trough zone. Additional means are provided ior continuous removal of the large or small solid lumps or particles taken up by said scoop receptacles dur ing rotation through said trough zone the lower portion of the cycle and released by gravity therefrom during roH Y tation about the rupper portion of the cycle.

lt will be seen that because of the dimensions of the radial side openings, said at least one side extension which extends substantially axially outwardly with respect to the rotating :drum will be. approximately either semi-conical or pyramidal in configuration. This enables a larger proportion of material rto be treated in the trough zone dened by said conical or pyramidal extension and a given size drum than would be possible in said drum alone. Moreover, a corresponding reduction of the .portion of the material being rotated is achieved in the continuous trough zone which results in a lower consumption of operating energy and less wear on the moving parts. The axial width of the revolving drum can, therefore, be determined so that a suiticient Icapacity of charged liquid containing very large sizes of solid particles or lumps can still be conveniently accommodated.

According rto one embodiment of the invention, drum sink separators of this type can be arranged in series in a particularly favorable :manner so that minerals of different particle sizes may be worked up. Depending on the type and nature of the material to be worked up, such as line particles or coarse lumps, the weirs Vof, each of the different separator units which are arranged in series and which are preferably of the same size, can be combined advantageously with drums of different axial widths.

`Referring to the drawing, the drum sink separator in accordance with the invention shown in FIG. l comprises a rotating drum 1 which is constructed with a plurality of spaced scoop recesses 16 disposed on its inside surface, said drum being suitably mounted. for rotational travel along tracks 1a. A rim flange -lb extends along the peripheral portion of the circumference at each side of the drum, the radially inward portion of eachl said side being'open. Adjacent the radial Iopening lat the input side of the drum, a stationary charging weir 4 is provided, -while adjacent the radial opening at the other side, a stationary overflow weir 2 is provided. Each of these weirs defines a stationary side extension of trough zone 3 continuously formed .by the lower portion of rotating drum 1. lt is seen that a portion of each side extension is advantageously extended substantially axially outwardly with respect to rotating drum 1, whereby to increase the volurne of trough zone 3 without correspondingly increasing the dimensions of the drum itself. The extension formed by charging weir 4 is approximately semi-conical in configuration. i 5 y l The material to be treated is passed over` the suitably inclined charging weir 4 into trough zone 3,- whereupon it is taken up by scoop recesses 10i. Above overflow weir 2 is advantageously positioned a paddle wheel 5, or other suitable conventional device, such as rotating scraper chain means, which serves to remove any floating material in the charge rising to the surface of the heavy liquid. The material carried upwardly by scoop recesses 1li during rotation through trough zone 3 is released there. from :by gravity at the uppermost portion of the cycle and carried ott by chute 6, positioned along the axial width of the drum through the [upper portion of the radial space within said radial openings. Chute 6 advantageously extends outwardly and downwardly away from said space on the charging weirfside; thus permitting greater freedom of operation of paddle wheel 5 on the opposite side.y lA screen portion 7 is conveniently provided along a portion of chute 6 within the radial spa-ce of drum 1 through which a preliminary separation of the can be obtained. These ner particles can be refed directly back into trough zone 3 in a simple manner as indicated by the arrow located at the lower end of screen portion 7` In FIG. 2, drum l is shown from the overiiow side. Scoop recesses 1G are situated preferably with their bottom portions at an angle with the radius of the drum, being biased in a forward direction, `for efficient scooping action. These recesses contain preferably a plurality of perforations or openings 10u throughout their entirety in order to permit the heavy-density liquid taken up during rotation to pass through as the recesses travel upwardly.

According to another embodiment of the invention,l

' weir 4, which serves as a charging chute, instead ori being conically shaped, has the shape of a truncated pyramid with a rectangular base. This embodiment has the further advantage that it allows a uniform distribution of the charged material over the whole cross-section of the trough zone 3.

It is, of course, advantageous to provide the edges and corners of the sink separator apparatus with suitable means for protection against abrasion in order to Iprevent the premature failure of these parts which are subjected to heavy wear.

The drum sink separator in accordance with the invention can be provided with drum outlets 8 for the exit of the heavy-density liquid which is retained in the peripheral portions of the drum. For the collection of the heavy-.density liquid emerging [from these outlets, provision is made for ya corresponding receiving trou-gh 9 which extends about a Iportion of the circumference ott the drum to approximately the liquid level in the trough zone or somewhat above said level. Also, side troughs 9" (see FIGS. l and 2) may be provided at the sides of the drum to receive any liquid seeping out between the' corresponding lian-ge 1b and the adjacent weir portion at the lower half of the drum. Y

The cross-section of these openings 8 which act as outlets for the heavy-density liquid may be adjusted according to the liquid used, by means of nozzles, valves, and other suitable means well known in Athe art.

In FIG. 3, the trough zone is provided with guideplates 11 tor the iioating material. These plates are advantageously axially arranged along a portion of the cross-section of the :drum in order to increase the efiiciency of the separation space. At their lower ends the guideplates are provided with a covering made of a resilient elastic material, which acts as ian apron, as shown at 1.2.

The advantage of -t-hese aprons made of resilient material is that, even if some of the loating particles of near gravity material happen to stick to the weir, they will be either pushed through, perhaps passing onto upwardly moving receptacles 10 or guided upwardly within the space defined by said -guideplates 11 and hence out through the overrliow Weir, due to the action of this resilient elastic apron when the drum is being rotated. In this construction, the drum revolves on tracks la', so that scoop recesses lo may take up the desired material and outlets `8 may permit the exit of heavy liquid into receiving trough 9, in the same general manner as in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In many cases, it maybe advantageous to have the walls of the guideplates made completely of elastic material on the overflow side of the drum so that no damage to the walls of the trough zone will result even when pieces of rock `are present. The elastic iguide walls can be made of rubber or of metal, that is in the (form of resilient metal such as spring metal.

The diameter of the drum is dependent upon the amount and particle size of the charged material, the usual drum diameter fbeing between 3.5 and 7.0` meters. The width of the weirs is mainly dependent on the charge capacity. As a guide to the width of the Weir to be used, a width of about 1.0 meter normally corresponds to a charge capacity of long tons. Correspondingly larger and smaller dimensions may be employed in the light of this relationship. The width of the `drum is mainly dependent on the maximum size of material. When treating coarse grained material, such as in the work-up! of large sizes of coal, this width is generally 1.2 to 1.6 times the size of the maximum particle size. On theother hand, in the event small size particles are handled, the width of the Weir is usually dependent upon the throughput desired, wherein particular `consideration must be given to the percentage of refuse present in the feed material. rPhe drum capacity generally may be ascertained in accordance with the known formulae and rules` of calculation applying to bucket elevators.

In FIG. 4, the left-hand drum has a smaller axial width than the right-hand `drurn arranged in series therewith, whereby particles of smaller sizes rnay be further worked up in said left-hand drum atter separation of the larger particles in the right-'hand drum.

What is claimed is:

1. A drum sink separator -for separating solids by means of a heavy liquid, which comprises ia rotatable drum means, said drum means having a central charging opening defined in one side and a central overilow opening in the other side, scoop means disposed on the inside peripheral `wall yof said drum means and rotatable therewith, a stationary charging weir means 'adjacent and extending yfrom said central charging opening and a stationary overflow weir means adjacent and extending from said centnal overflow opening, at least a portion of at least one of said weir means extending axially outwardly from the corresponding central opening `of said drum means, the entirety `of the lower portion of said rotatable drum means continuously defining a common trough zone with both said Weir means extending from the central openings, iand means for continuously removing the separated solids portion `from the remainder `of the charged material.

2. A drum sink separator according to claim l wherein said portion of at least one of said Weir means extending axially outwardly from the corresponding centnal opening of said drum means is substantially frusto-conical in shape.

3. A drurn sink separator according to claim 1 wherein said scoop means are provided with a plunality of apertures defined therein capable of permitting the heavydensity-liquid taken up by said scoop means to pass therethrough and return to said trough zone, further means being provided for removing the floatable portion of the charged material from the trough zone.

4. A drum sink separator according to claim l wherein said means for continuously recovering said separated solids portion comprises an inclined chute means, the higher portion of which is disposed within said drum means in juxtaposition to the upper portion of said drum means and capable of receiving separated solids released from said scoop means traveling therealong, and the lower portion of which extends outwardly from said drum means, a portion of said chute means disposed within said drum means and above said trough zone being provided with a plurality of apertures defined therein for separating the smaller solids -from the larger solids released from said scoop means into said chute, land with means for returning said smaller solids into said trough zone.

5. A drum sink separator according to claim l wherein stationary guideplates are provided lwithin the lower portion of said drum means in said trough zone and disposed along the direction of the axis of said drum means, said guideplates being contin-uously substantially rotatably coextensive at least at one side of said drum `means with a portion of the edge of the opening defined in that side, during rotation of said drum means, and said guideplates being capable of increasing the efiiciency of removal of the floating material from said trough zone.

6. A drum sink separator according to claim 5 wherein said guide/plates are provided with resilient aprons, said aprons being disposed at least along la portion of the axially directed lower edges of said guideplates 7. A drum sink separator according to claim 6 wherein said lguideplates possess a resilient layer along the portions thereof rotatably coextensive with said edge of the opening defined in that side of the drum.

8. A plurality of drum sink separators arranged in series for separating solids by means of a heavy liquid, each of vwhich comprises a rotatable drummelans, said drum means having a central charging opening dened in one side `and a central overflow opening in the other side, scoop means dis-posed on the inside peripheral Wall of said drum means rand rotatable therewith, a stationary charging Weir means adjacent and extending fromsaid central charging opening and a central overflow Weir means adjacent and extending from said central overllow opening, at least a portion of at least one of said Weir means extending axially outwardly from t-he corresponding central opening of said drum means, the entirety of the lower portion of said rotatable drum means continuously defining a common ytrough zone with both said Weir means extending from said central openings, and means for continuously removing the separated solids portion from the remainder of the charged material, all said weirs being of a common height, the width of each successive drum means in the series changing in increments,

yand the overflow opening side of the preceding drum means lbein-g adjacent fthe charging opening side of the next.

9. In a drum sink separator for working upA ores, minerals and lcoal with heavy liquids, having altrough zone for the separation of the solid content from the waste; including a rotatable drum having a central charging opening defined in one side thereof land a central overflow opening deiined in the other side thereof, a plurality of spaced scoop receptacles disposed on the inside peripheral wall thereof and rotatable therewith, a plurality of closable outlets disposed on the outside peripheral wall Vthereof `for removal of heavy liquid from said drum, a liquid receiving trough coextensive with the lower portion of said drum during rotation and in line with said outlets, a stationary char-ging Weir adjacent one side of said drum and a stationary overflow Weir adjacent the other side, means at said overflow weir side for removing iloatable material from said trough zone, a chute for removing solids taken up by said scoop receptacles during rotation 2, Sil 6,9 62

of said drum, fthe improvement which comprises providing at least a portion of at least one of said weirs outwardly extending axially from the corresponding central opening of said drum, whereby the entirety of the lower portion of said rotatable drum continuously denes a common trough zone with both of said'weirs ofv larger capacity than the lower portions lof the drum itself.

10. A drum sink separator for processing minerals,

ores, and coal with v,a heavy liquid, which comprises a rotatable .drum means, said drum means having la rim ange means on each side thereoffextending substantially radially inwardly along the peripheral portion ofthe drum means circumference, rthe centermost portion of each side of said drum means being open to provide a central char-ging side opening and a central overow side opening, respectively, spaced scoop means disposed on the inside peripheral wall of said drum meansV and rotatable therewith, a stationary charging Weir means adjacent and extending from the charging side opening of said drum means, a stationary overflow Weir means adjacent and extending from the overflow side opening of said drum means, at least a portion of at least Ione of said Weir means extending Iaxially outwardly `from the corresponding central opening of said drum means, the entirety of the lower portion of said rotatable drum means continuously delining a common trough zone with both said Weir meansv extending from said central openings, means for continuous removal of floating material Ifrom vsaid trough zone and additional means for continuous removal of solids vfrom the upper portion of said drum means.

References Cited in the file of this patent lUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,624,461 Falconer Jan. 6, 1953 2,700,466 Dogue Jan. 25, 1955 2,724,502 Ridley Nov. 22,1955

i FOREIGN PATENTS 77,285 Netherlands` Feb. l5, 1955 517,515 Belgium Feb. 28, 1953 547,6201 Canada Oct. 15, 1957 960,801 Germany M-ar. 28, 1957 1,114,749 France Apr. 16, 1956 1,141,248 France Aug. 28, 1957 1,172,124 France Oct. 13, 1958 .Davis Aug. 1, 1950 y 

1. A DRUM SINK SEPARATOR FOR SEPRATING SOLIDS BY MEANS OF A HEAVY LIQUID, WHICH COMPRISES A ROTABLE DRUM MEANS, SAID DRUM MEANS HAVING A CENTRAL CHARGING OPEING DEFINED IN ONE SIDE AND A CENTRAL OVERFLOW OPENING IN THE OTHER SIDE, SCOOP MEANS DISPOSED ON THE INSIDE PERIPHERAL WALL OF SAOD DRUM MEANS AND ROTABLE THEREWITH, A STATIONARY CHARGING WEIR MEANS ADJACENT AND EXTENDING FROM SAID CENTRAL CHARGING OPENING AND A STATIONARY OVERFLOW WEIR MEANDS ADJACENT AND EXTENDING FROM SAID CENTRAL OVERFLOW OPENING AT LEAST A PORTION OF AT LEAST ON OF SAID WEIR MEANS EXTENDING AXIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM THE CORRESPONDING CENTRAL OPENING OF SAID DRUM MEANS, THE ENTIRETY OF THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID ROTABLE DRUM MEANS CONTINUOUSLY DEFINING A COMMON TROUGH ZONE WITH BOTH SAID WEIR MEANS EXTENDING FROM THE CENTRAL OPENINGS, AND MEANS FOR CONTINUOUSLY REMOVING THE SEPARATED SOLIDS PORTION FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE CHARGED MATERIAL. 